Characterization of adult blood lead levels below 25 mcg/dL in the New Hampshire Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance Program (ABLES) Program

Lead adversely affects multiple organ systems and can cause permanent damage. Until recently, a blood lead level (BLL) of 25 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) or greater for adults was considered “elevated,” and the Healthy People 2010 goal was to eliminate BLLs above this level. However, adverse health effects are seen with cumulative exposure at BLLs lower than 25 µg/dL. The Council for State and Territorial Epidemiologists and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health have recommended changing the case definition for an elevated BLL in adults from 25 µg/dL to 10 µg/dL, thereby dramatically increasing the “caseload” in New Hampshire by almost 4.

In order to learn more about the health effects of lower BLLs, and to analyze the feasibility of obtaining exposure information on these lower levels, we performed in-depth data analysis of the 2009 BLLs between 10 and 24 µg/dL and for those above 25 µg/dL, coding the data by industry and occupation. Analysis was made using a basic frequency distribution, by gender, age, geography, blood lead level, work relatedness, process, and by industry and occupation. Employee survey results from BLLs 10 µg/dL and above were also analyzed.

Results of data analysis are presented, as well as lessons learned from the process of further documenting industry and occupation for all BLLs 10 µg/dL and above. Knowledge gained from this study will support the broader discussion of the need for improved data collection and documentation of health effects from lower BLLs in the adult population.